Thoughts from the interface of science, religion, law and culture

After spending several years touring the country as a stand up comedian, Ed Brayton tired of explaining his jokes to small groups of dazed illiterates and turned to writing as the most common outlet for the voices in his head. He has appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show and the Thom Hartmann Show, and is almost certain that he is the only person ever to make fun of Chuck Norris on C-SPAN.

EVENTS

Another Church/State Lawsuit in Warren, Michigan

The last few years have seen several battles over church/state separation in Warren, Michigan, where the mayor could hardly be more obvious in wanting his office to give official endorsement to Christianity and keep atheists from having equal access to the public square. AU, the ACLU and FFRF have filed another lawsuit.

In an effort to protect the First Amendment rights of all Warren, Mich. residents regardless of their religious or philosophical beliefs or non-beliefs, the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Freedom from Religion Foundation have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the city’s ban on an atheist booth in a city-hall atrium where the city has allowed a prayer station.

The atrium has been set up by city officials as a public space that can be reserved by a wide variety of groups and individuals, including civic organizations and Warren residents, but the mayor is not allowing an atheist to use space in the atrium because his belief system “is not a religion.”

Since 2009, the city has allowed a local church group to run a prayer station in which volunteers distribute religious pamphlets, offer to pray with passersby, and discuss their religious beliefs with people who approach the station. The lawsuit filed today does not seek to have the prayer station removed, but instead asks the court to order the city to treat believers and non-believers equally.

“Once the government opens public space for use by private groups, it cannot pick and choose who can use the space based on the content of their message or whether public officials agree with that message,” said Dan Korobkin, ACLU of Michigan deputy legal director. “For instance, Warren officials would not be permitted to grant access to activists supportive of the mayor and reject the applications of activists who are critical of the mayor. The same logic extends to this matter: the city cannot allow speech supportive of religion and reject speech supportive of atheism.”

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Douglas Marshall, a Warren resident whose request to install a “reason station” was rejected by the city. Marshall wishes to set up a station that is similar in size, structure and function to the prayer station – a folding table and chairs with literature on display and available to the public – except that his station will offer information and opportunities for discussion from a non-religious perspective.

“The city has an obligation to serve all members of the community equally, regardless of their faith or their lack of faith,” said Americans United Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser. “Our laws make it clear that our government can’t adopt a rule book that favors one group over another.”

Marshall wishes to set up a station that is similar in size, structure and function to the prayer station – a folding table and chairs with literature on display and available to the public – except that his station will offer information and opportunities for discussion from a non-religious perspective.

Warren Michigan sounds like a boring place.

Wait till the Wiccans set up their magic spell station complete with eye of newt, toe of frog, virgin’s blood, and so on. Everyone can use a magic spell now and then.

The Catholics can set up an exorcism table. Who hasn’t had problems with demons now and then?

The Pagans can set up a table too. The Frost Giants are coming back, a fact that is well known. Michigan will be hit hard. Snow will fall, lakes will freeze over. They need to drive them back or spring will never come. Thor is looking for warriors with 4 wheel drive vehicles, snow shovels, and salt.

I imagine the Mayor and his band of merry mental midgets think they ARE serving the entire community, doing so by leading them to the True Religion of Mithraism or Zoroastrianism or Druidism or whatever fantasy it is.